NGOs hopeful despite slow anti-AIDS drug rollout

Namibian AIDS NGO, Lironga Eparu, has expressed concern over the government's steady but slow pace in implementing a national HIV/AIDS treatment programme. Despite promises that eight sites would distribute anti-AIDS treatment by the end 2003, only five hospitals across the country had started the drug rollout. In an interview with the UN news service PlusNews, Lironga Eparu advocacy manager, Conny Samaria, said: "Things are happening, but not at the pace we want; treatment is being rolled out, but it is still not country-wide." However, Samaria said his organisation supported the government's efforts to undertake "proper planning" before expanding its drug rollout campaign, as this would ensure the programme was sustainable.